For all of you who are interested in the many things that the University of Iowa has to offer, but there is just one concern that you have concerning being a minority.
As some would assume, I am African American plus a mixture of about 4 other races/ethnic backgrounds. However, African American is what I identify with in the quick scheme of things.
Q. Are there any black people there?
A. Yes, I am black, and I am here 🙂 There are other students of color that attend the University.
Q. Are there a lot?
A. In comparison to other races, no, not really. This is a really big university that is predominantly white. However, you shouldn’t let that discourage you, the black population here on campus is really involved and all over the place! 🙂 Check out this page on Fall 2010 Diversity Demographics.
For a comprehensive list of University diversity resources, please visit:
http://www.uiowa.edu/homepage/diversity/index.html
There is a website that is home to collective essays written by black students on campus. The focus of the essays are NOT college life, but just about educating people by using historical events to shed light on present and future events. Occasionally things will come up about college life here, so it is an interesting place to go for perspectives on the issue of diversity.
Here is the link:
http://www.youngblackeducated.com/2011/11/why-do-black-women-get-no-love-in-iowa.html
We at Young, Black & Educated wholeheartedly believe that knowing our
history is the only way we can navigate our future. By engaging and having those
conversations that many people are afraid to have we wish to promote a free and
equal society.
I think the website creates some very interesting dialogue, I also think that it discusses some very controversial topics, and gives everyone something to think harder about. For example; Q&A: “Black Men’s Obsession with White Women” is a topic of an article and so is, “Troy Davis Execution: Georgia Pardons Board Denies Plea for Clemency .”
These articles represent some of the very diverse thinking of a small group of students at Iowa and their opinions are definitely interesting and worth the read.
Also, for incoming students check out: http://iowaedge.uiowa.edu/
Mariah R!!!
We should definitely catch up! Please feel free to use me as a resource during your preparation for college, your transition once you’re here, or anything else. If I don’t know the answer I am sure I can help you find it.
Have you heard about the Iowa Edge program? http://iowaedge.uiowa.edu/
Definitely go check it out if you haven’t already, I have written a blog or two about it so please feel free to take a look at those as well. 🙂
I am so glad I came across this blog. When I come to Iowa in the fall of 2012, I hope to catch up with you and learn more about you. I am African American myself so it will be cool to find out more about my culture along with others with the same background or interest. Thanks for posting this.
Al—- You’re Awesome!
Thanks!
Hey Monte!!
I am excited to hear that you are applying to Iowa and that you find this article useful! You can definitely become a supporter (like Myself and so many others!) as well as become a writer. I know the group writing for the site is small but I know they are always looking for different perspectives! I talked to the founder and he said all you have to do is email them and share with them your interests 🙂 You can email youngblacked@aol.com with all the questions you may have and the staff will get you all the answers that you need. I hope this helps!
The website you mentioned sounds really cool. Do you ever write for it? How can I support/become a writer for it? I am a senior in highschool in Chicago and I’ve applied to the University of Iowa. I would love to get connected with something like this. Can you send me as much information as possible, my friends are also interested in creating if you guys need more people to do it.
Good job kyra. Your mentor is proud of you! We need to catch up ASAP as well.